A Pharmacological review on Gorakha ganja (Aerva lanata (Linn) Juss. Ex. Schult)

Abstract

Aerva lanata (Linn) Juss. ex. Schult is widely used in urinary disorders in southern part of India as a source of Pashana bheda. It is commonly known as Gorakha ganja a member of Amaranthaceae, usually found as weed on mountains and bare ground. It is an herb which trails on the ground with many branches and leaves are alternately arranged with fine hairs above and with wooly beneath. Flowers are greenish white in clusters. Since years many researches have been carried out to elicit the diuretic & anti-urolithic activity of this plant. Besides, it has been proven for many more pharmacological activities like anti-diarrhoeal, anti-hyperglycameic, anti-oxidant, anti-helmentic, and analgesic. In addition, various phyto chemical investigations reveal the presence of steroids, tannins, flavonoids, nutrients, terpenoids in different parts of the plant. This is an attempt to explore and high light the different phytochemical and pharmacological studies till date.